TicketsCincinnati Athletics features more than 400 student-athletes who are doing incredible things on and off the field. Some will go pro in sports. Some will go on to do great things in business, medicine or other professional fields. All will be Bearcats for Life. These are their stories.
Cincinnati football sophomore punter Mason Fletcher had an eventful past weekend. Not only did the football season kick off with a Top-25 matchup at Arkansas, but he also faced his younger brother, Max, who was making his debut as the punter for the Razorbacks. Additionally, Fletcher's parents traveled from Melbourne, Australia to watch their sons face off. It marked the first time in nearly two years Fletcher saw his mom.
While the Bearcats fell, 31-24, in a tough battle, Fletcher was outstanding, placing two punts inside in the 10-yard line and booting two 50 yarders. He picked up right where he left off of as a freshman starting punter for the College Football Semifinalists.
Learn more about Fletcher below!
How was seeing your family for the first time in two years when you played Arkansas on Sept. 3?
"It was awesome. It was surreal seeing my mom at the hotel the night before the game. I spent an hour and a half with them which was really nice. Seeing my brother, Max, on the field before and after the game was also nice. It was everything I imagined it to be and more. They'll be in Cincinnati for two weeks for the Miami (OH) and Indiana games. I can't wait for them to see Nippert Stadium, campus and everything Cincinnati has to offer."
What was it like competing against your brother Max?
"It was something we always dreamed of as little kids. Maybe not competing against each other, but that's how it worked out. It was good to see him play in front of 75,000 people. He's going to have a really good year."
What's your major and why did you pick it?
"My major is communications. I chose communications because it is a universal skill set that is used in every workplace so it is going be something that I can use when I leave here and choose a career path."
What's Clifton Style mean to you?
"Clifton Style is tough and nasty. It is about doing everything we can to win. It is about all the hard stuff we do in the weight room and in practice that culminates to success on the field."
What makes UC great?
"The people are what makes the University of Cincinnati great. It has a great culture. I think the tough and nasty mindset is one that everyone buys into. This place is special."
What is Coach Fickell like?
"Coach (Luke) Fickell is a family man. He has been awesome to me. He is the reason that I haven't felt homesick the whole time being here because it is such a family. He is caring. He wants the best for everyone, and he gets to know every player on a personal level. That is one of the reasons why this program is great."
What's your favorite moment as a Bearcat?
"My favorite moment so far is the 2021 AAC Championship win. I am a team player so to see all our hard work culminating in a victory for the team was such a big moment for me."
How did you start playing football?
"I started playing football a little bit differently from everyone else on the team. I got cut from Australian football back home and I needed to figure out something to do. I realized that I could kick a football pretty far, so I decided to come over here and use my leg."
Why did you choose UC?
"I chose the University of Cincinnati because of Coach Fickell. As I said, he is a family man and someone that I want to be around. He is someone that is going to make me feel comfortable and push me to be the best that I can be. Another reason is James Smith. He was an Australian punter that had a very successful career here and I am hoping to build on that."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is my dad, Dustin. He was a 20-year league veteran back home (in Australian Rules Football) and who I aspire to be in the sports world. He is someone that I look up to and who has shown me the way."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
"If I could have a dinner with anyone in the world it would LeBron James. He is someone in the sports world that I have looked up to forever."
Who is your favorite NFL player?
"Aaron Rodgers. I listen to a lot of podcasts that he is on, and he is a pretty funny individual as well as a generational talent."
How did you find out UC made the Playoff last year?
"I was at Martino's on Short Vine with a couple of teammates. We were eating there, and it was awesome to be a part of that."
What's your favorite hobby?
"My favorite hobby outside of football is definitely playing video games. I love playing PlayStation."
Cincinnati football sophomore punter Mason Fletcher had an eventful past weekend. Not only did the football season kick off with a Top-25 matchup at Arkansas, but he also faced his younger brother, Max, who was making his debut as the punter for the Razorbacks. Additionally, Fletcher's parents traveled from Melbourne, Australia to watch their sons face off. It marked the first time in nearly two years Fletcher saw his mom.
While the Bearcats fell, 31-24, in a tough battle, Fletcher was outstanding, placing two punts inside in the 10-yard line and booting two 50 yarders. He picked up right where he left off of as a freshman starting punter for the College Football Semifinalists.
Learn more about Fletcher below!
How was seeing your family for the first time in two years when you played Arkansas on Sept. 3?
"It was awesome. It was surreal seeing my mom at the hotel the night before the game. I spent an hour and a half with them which was really nice. Seeing my brother, Max, on the field before and after the game was also nice. It was everything I imagined it to be and more. They'll be in Cincinnati for two weeks for the Miami (OH) and Indiana games. I can't wait for them to see Nippert Stadium, campus and everything Cincinnati has to offer."
What was it like competing against your brother Max?
"It was something we always dreamed of as little kids. Maybe not competing against each other, but that's how it worked out. It was good to see him play in front of 75,000 people. He's going to have a really good year."
What's your major and why did you pick it?
"My major is communications. I chose communications because it is a universal skill set that is used in every workplace so it is going be something that I can use when I leave here and choose a career path."
What's Clifton Style mean to you?
"Clifton Style is tough and nasty. It is about doing everything we can to win. It is about all the hard stuff we do in the weight room and in practice that culminates to success on the field."
What makes UC great?
"The people are what makes the University of Cincinnati great. It has a great culture. I think the tough and nasty mindset is one that everyone buys into. This place is special."
What is Coach Fickell like?
"Coach (Luke) Fickell is a family man. He has been awesome to me. He is the reason that I haven't felt homesick the whole time being here because it is such a family. He is caring. He wants the best for everyone, and he gets to know every player on a personal level. That is one of the reasons why this program is great."
What's your favorite moment as a Bearcat?
"My favorite moment so far is the 2021 AAC Championship win. I am a team player so to see all our hard work culminating in a victory for the team was such a big moment for me."
How did you start playing football?
"I started playing football a little bit differently from everyone else on the team. I got cut from Australian football back home and I needed to figure out something to do. I realized that I could kick a football pretty far, so I decided to come over here and use my leg."
Why did you choose UC?
"I chose the University of Cincinnati because of Coach Fickell. As I said, he is a family man and someone that I want to be around. He is someone that is going to make me feel comfortable and push me to be the best that I can be. Another reason is James Smith. He was an Australian punter that had a very successful career here and I am hoping to build on that."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is my dad, Dustin. He was a 20-year league veteran back home (in Australian Rules Football) and who I aspire to be in the sports world. He is someone that I look up to and who has shown me the way."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
"If I could have a dinner with anyone in the world it would LeBron James. He is someone in the sports world that I have looked up to forever."
Who is your favorite NFL player?
"Aaron Rodgers. I listen to a lot of podcasts that he is on, and he is a pretty funny individual as well as a generational talent."
How did you find out UC made the Playoff last year?
"I was at Martino's on Short Vine with a couple of teammates. We were eating there, and it was awesome to be a part of that."
What's your favorite hobby?
"My favorite hobby outside of football is definitely playing video games. I love playing PlayStation."